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Art Mindfulness Movement Nature

Movement & Mindfulness 2022

Earlier this year I received Arts Council England, Homepage (artscouncil.org.uk)Developing Your Creative Practice funding to research combining my movement and mindfulness practice. I spent the summer returning to studio spaces in Liverpool and West Yorkshire and also worked in a new environment for me, up on the moors above Hebden Bridge.

I created four postcards to document, what was a precious time that feature images by Sarah Mason, Filmmaker and photographer for brands and families (sarahmasonphotography.co.uk)a photographer and film maker who I was so lucky to work with and whose amazing images I will begin to include on this website. The postcards include information about the project and also dip into the process I explored.

Here is the back of one postcard:

A summer spent combining practice in movement studios and the natural environment. Catherine Hawkins has worked in dance for nearly thirty years, in improvisation, environmental movement and art making. In 2021 she became an Accredited Breathworks Mindfulness teacher.

“This research harboured a powerful autobiographical undercurrent. High in the hills on the West Yorkshire moors I could reflect, hearing the roar of water flowing lower down in the valley. Mindfulness has offered new paths, un-paths even to help me find my way to wellbeing. To be with challenges of recent years and a strong, supportive feeling that something creative is gathering to further express this being human.”

Thank you to Helen Poynor and Padmadarshini Cole for your mentoring, Mary Prestidge at the Liverpool Improvisation Collective Studio, Bluecoat, Liverpool, Rob Hopper at Wainsgate Dance, West Yorkshire and photographer Sarah Mason for supporting this process-based research.

I’m really looking forward to what comes next after this valuable time to follow an ‘un-path’.

Categories
Mindfulness

Mindfulness Group Autumn Sessions

The Mindfulness Group sessions have restarted following a break for the summer. They will run right up to 6th December, with no session on 8th November, then begin in 2023 on 10th January.

This session is open to anyone. Come weekly or drop in when you can on Tuesdays, 1.30-2.30pm at Kingsleigh Methodist Church, Leigh, WN7 4LR. Let me know if you would like to come. Be kind to yourself, take an hour to de-stress, meditate, enjoy restoring your wellbeing with a small friendly group.

“Thank you so much for making Tuesday afternoons a haven of calm that carries on into everyday life.”

Session Cost: £6/£5 Conc, Drinks and biscuits are free.

Categories
Art Mindfulness Nature

Mindfulness Group, Getting Out More!

Thanks to funding from the Dementia United, Carers Groups Bounce Back Fund the Mindfulness Group can continue into the spring and summer, Carers and those affected by Dementia can enjoy FREE sessions and everyone can experience the benefits of a number of wellbeing trips. The Group recently enjoyed a relaxing visit to The Monastery, Manchester.

The trip to Gorton was beautiful, Catherine. Thank you for arranging it.

Over the coming months we will be continuing the Tuesday afternoon sessions in Leigh at Kingsleigh Methodist Church, taking another trip to The Wellbeing Program at RHS Bridgewater, taking part in the Healthy Arts ‘This Mine Is Yours’ project at Lancashire Mining Museum, Astley Green and enjoying getting outdoors practicing mindfulness. Get in contact if you would like to come along.

Categories
Art Nature

‘Animated’ Article

It’s great to see my short reflection on participating in the People Dancing, Perspectives on Practice, Tree Time by Helen Poynor, included as an article in ‘Animated’, the People Dancing magazine.

Read and download the Spring/Summer 2022 digital edition of Animated magazine online in a flipbook. This is an 80 page bumper edition offering contributions from 30 diverse dancers, teaching artists, community practitioners, academics, researchers and leaders. Produced in collaboration with the Centre of Dance Research (C-DaRE) at Coventry University.

https://www.communitydance.org.uk/developing-practice/animated-magazine

Many thanks for including this People Dancing.

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Mindfulness

New 1-2-1 Sessions on Zoom, Half Price Special Offer

I’m offering one-to-one Mindfulness sessions at the special introductory price of £20 an hour, just until April 2022 (sessions should cost £40). Anyone who; finds it difficult to commit to a group course because of work, family, or cost, wants to try Breathworks Mindfulness out after trying out Apps, doesn’t want to be in a group because of anxiety or health reasons, has had Mindfulness suggested by your GP, get in contact for more details. No need to book more than one session at a time.

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Mindfulness

New Year, New Course

Introduction to Mindfulness

Interested in learning more about Mindfulness in the New Year?

This short course, based on the Breathworks (Breathworks – Mindfulness and Compassion Training) approach will introduce you to skills to live a happier and more fulfilled life especially if you feel stress, anxiety or have a long-term health condition. It is suitable for complete beginners, those who want to learn more, use it in their work or wish to refresh their meditation practice. In a small group you will experience how Mindfulness can change your whole perspective on life.

You have the option to attend this course in two ways:

Via Zoom, 1-2.30pm Wednesday 19th, 26th January & 2nd February or

In person, 6.30-8pm, Thursday 3rd, 10th & 17th February, at Kingsleigh Methodist Church, Leigh, WN7 4LR.

The course cost will be £30/£25 conc, and FREE places are available for Carers or those affected by Dementia thanks to funding from Dementia Friendly Communities.

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Mindfulness

Weekly Mindfulness Group Restarts!

I’m really happy that the Mindfulness Group is to restart again from October 5th! Again sessions take place from 1.30-2.30pm at the town centre venue, Kingsleigh Methodist Church, 73 King Street, Leigh, WN7 4LR. I just want to thank Kingsleigh for keeping in contact throughout the lockdowns, being hopeful that groups will meet again and now supporting us as we restart. At present the group has funding in place to continue until Easter 2022.

So, enjoy weekly sessions or come when you can. The sessions are informal and perfect for complete beginners or those who  wish to refresh their meditation practice. Tea, coffee and biscuits are free and funding from Dementia Friendly Communities, Wigan Council provides two free sessions for Carers and those affected by dementia. Please let me know if you would like to attend.

Cost:£6/£5 Conc

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Mindfulness

Mindfulness for Health

Earlier this year I was awarded a Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre Training Grant (Wigan Council) to run a Breathworks 8-week Mindfulness for Health Course specifically for Carers with WLCC, in a Leigh venue over September and October. I’m thrilled to be teaching this course that I attended as a participant in 2018, thinking that I would give it a try and doubting it would make a difference to my health. It did make a huge difference to my health and wellbeing! I’m so glad Carers registered with WLCC can do this course for FREE!

Places are limited so follow this link for all the information and booking:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wigan-and-leigh-carers-centre/mindfulness-for-carers-health-8-week-course/e-gvqemq

See my Mindfulness page for the great feedback Carers gave about the Mindfulness for Stress Course I taught with WLCC earlier this year.

Categories
Mindfulness Nature

1 Hour Stress Buster

Feel uplifted and restored this summer.

1 Hour Stress Buster-Walking, mindfulness, meditation, calming and enjoyable activities at the beautiful Pennington Flash Country Park in August, a morning and evening session.

Perfect for complete beginners or those who wish to refresh their meditation practice.

Categories
Mindfulness

Mindfulness for Stress

If you are keen to learn some skills to deal with the stress of everyday life there are places available on the Mindfulness for Stress: 8-week Course. During this proven course you will learn the foundations of mindfulness and meditation, beginning a practice that will change the quality of your life.

Course fees begin at under £14 per session (concession) and with support from Dementia Friendly Communities, Wigan Council, Carers and those affected by dementia are entitled to a 50% discount!

The course begins on Wednesday 21st July, 1-3.30pm at the Old Grammar School, 55 Railway Road, Leigh, WN7 4AD.

This course is perfect for complete beginners or those who wish to refresh their meditation practice.